Study of Psychiatric Comorbidities and Quality of Life in Persons with Intellectual Disability

Psychiatric co-morbidities are frequently found in persons with intellectual disability (ID). These co morbidities along with severity of ID play significant role in overall functioning and quality of life. This study assessed the prevalence of psychiatric co morbidities and quality of life in persons with intellectual disability. A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted among 44 patients with intellectual disability diagnosed by Clinical Psychologist visiting outpatient Department of Psychiatry of Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal. Informed written consent was taken. The socio demographic data and relevant variables were collected using a predesigned proforma. Psychiatric co morbidity was diagnosed according International Classification of Disease-10. The Quality of life of the subjects was assessed with Quality-of-Life Inventory-Disability Scale. Data entry and analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23.0. The p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The mean age of the participants was 11.98 years (SD±4.16). The majority of participants were male, Hindu and belonging to rural population. Also, majority of respondent were literate. The prevalence of psychiatric co morbidity was 29.5% and mean score of quality of life was 56.04. The mean score of quality of life had significant association with severity of intellectual disability (ID). Psychiatric co-morbidity in intellectual disability (ID) children showed no statistically significant association with age group, gender, religion, place of residence and employment status of father. Patients with intellectual disability has high rate of co morbid psychiatric disorder. Proper diagnosis of psychiatric co morbidity and severity of intellectual disability (ID) is required to improve quality of life in persons with intellectual disability (ID).